Happy Love Day

Yeah, I know it's Valentine's day, but it would be a bit weird sending Valentine wishes to some people, so I shall simply wish you all a Happy Love Day.

Pleased to say that today has gone much better than yesterday (yay)!  First of all, my beloved gave me THREE Valentine cards, how soppy is that?  Two from him and one from Vince.  My present wasn't quite so romantic but it was something I was perfectly happy with - Tetris Party for the Wii!

Secondly, we got the car started ok this morning, with the help of jump leads, and set off out to give it a decent run to recharge the battery.  We went to Colchester as Himself wanted to go to the homebrew shop.  I was a bit nervous leaving there but the car started ok, phew.  Called in at the garden centre on the way back to get my dad's birthday present and then toodled into the craft shop there for a browse - yep, a £46 browse!  How is that possible?  I only bought some glue (cough cough).  Final call of the day was the pet store for His Vinciness as he needed cat litter and treat biscuits (woe betide being out of treats) and then home.

I've been thinking all day about the LESS IS MORE challenge which this week is a One Layer Card challenge featuring flowers or trees.  Now, I don't know about you, but I have several flower stamps but somehow none of them seemed quite right for what was going on in my head ...... which could account for the new stamp that leapt into my basket in the craft shop!  Now, I've done it again, I've scampered upstairs without checking to see what it is but I think it is Flower Girl by Helz Cuppleditch - it's the set with the cute cat on it anyway.

Simple simple simple - embossed lines using my trusty Martha Stewart scoring board (God bless that woman), direct stamping onto card with the image, watercolour pencil painting and a sentiment from the Kanban TLC set.

And my other card isn't anything romantic or slushy today, but it is a bit ahhhhh, well, I think it is anyway.

This lovely little Hugging Tilda is actually a Christmas stamp as she has holly and berries in her bunches, amazing what a few gems can hide!  And would you look at that, not a distress ink in sight!  I've used Copics this time, and a Caran D'Ache Supracolor pencil for a bit of extra depth.  Papers are, from front to back, a freebie from Making Cards, Laura Ashley and Papermania.  Central border is my new Martha Stewart punch and I love it lots, lol!  The daft sentiment is 100% Squirrel.

Well, it has been sooooooooo lovely having extra time away from work but I've got to go back tomorrow (sob, please don't make me, I'll be good, promise I will) so I'll see you again in a few days.

Hugs, Sxx

Quit While You're Ahead......

OK, so where did today start to go wobbly?  Not sure, but I should have learned by now to stop while I'm ahead!

First off - we've been playing Epic Mickey on the Wii for ages and loving it.  Well, when I say "we've" been playing, I mean that I get the controls and Himself watches and gives helpful suggestions ....... we went back to it on a level where we had got stuck and, after a couple of getting squished moments, I found the exit and we're off into the next level.  This one is a toughie, lots of baddies to deal with, and lots of leaps of faith - as in, it's a huge gap, he's only a little mouse, can he make it - I know it is only a game - so why do I close my eyes when I make Mickey jump?  Anyway, we got stuck ..... again!

So I toddled off to make a card.  I chose a High Hopes stamp that has been sitting there, un-inked, for quite a while.  I enjoyed painting it, but then that's when it all fell apart.   I started with a 6X6 card, but because of the shape and size of the image it looked a bit odd.....but I still carried on.  Then, when it was put together, it looked rubbish - and Himself agreed.  In a hissifit now, I pulled it all apart, and tried again with a 5X7 card, but this time I managed to cut the jungle print paper too short.....thank goodness for wet glue, so slid that up a bit and thought about a peel off for the side....somewhere I had a vineleaf one.....rummage rummage ferret furtle....blast, no, that's red......rummage rummage....ah-ha, black one, that's it ......nope, still looks rubbish, ***s, out with another High Hopes stamp, quick colour with ProMarkers and slap it on the front....but it looks slapped on.....aaargh!  Not got time for all this messing about.....need to get dinner on .......

Oven on, veggies out of freezer (good old Aunt Bessie) and chicken out of fridge ..... it's still frozen!  B****ks!  Right, thinking cap on - have chicken tomorrow, but what for dinner today.....bacon sandwich, that'll do for now.....tonight?  Well, nothing for it, leftover Chinese!!  Things are getting desperate now - I think I'll make Himself drive into town later.....just to be on the safe side. 

And that's another thing - my car has a flat battery - or something.  We jump started it Friday afternoon, went to it yesterday morning and it was as flat as the flattest flat thing again.  Grrrrrrr.

Right, I'm off downstairs to see  little bit of the Ireland v France game ...... perhaps I should cheer for the side I DON'T want to win, that might sort things out.......

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Earlier post today:  Sunglasses Alert

Sunglasses Alert ...... you'll need them!

Well, would you look at that, Sunday already, where does the time go.

It's been ages since I had a play over at the SKETCH SATURDAY CHALLENGE so I thought I'd have a little go this week. 

Now, get those sunglasses out ......

Warned you!  Not sure what came over me with this one but, hey, it's bright!  That beautiful bunny is a High Hopes stamp, and he is painted with distress inks.  The gorgeous gingham papers are all Joanna Sheen and the sentiment is LOTV.  Little flowers punched with small EK Success retro flower punch, and the dots are simply done with an office hole punch.

As it is the second Sunday of the month, we have evening Mass and it's the Latin one, so best I go and have a quick brush up on what's happening before cooking Sunday lunch.

Thanks for popping over - will try and catch up with you all over the next day or two.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Born To Shop!

Hi all, hope you are ok on this interesting Saturday afternoon - so much for having all day to craft, have been dragged into town by Himself today, for a few errands, and before you know it, it's nearly 2.00! 

And he's bought a new mobile.  But why?  says I, You already have one, says I.  Yeah, but this is touch screen, says Him.  Oh, says I, you mean it's a Gadget.  Sigh.

Anyhoo, enough of our domestic issues, I've been having a little play with this week's LILI OF THE VALLEY CHALLENGE which is another fabulous sketch by the very talented Dawny P.  Thanks hun, this one is going to get used again.

And here is my card:

I think that, even though the new fairy releases are so adorable, these Busy Bear stamps rank amongst my all time favourites and I cannot wait for LOTV to come up with some more of the little loves.  This one is called Born To Shop and she is coloured with distress inks.  The papers are a Pink Petticoat freebie with a magazine, called Vintage Rose, and they are just beautifully coordinated.  The green mat is a sheet of Making Memories. The strip across the middle is my new Martha Stewart double border punch.  Pink flowers, small EK Success punch, leaves are Martha Stewart branch punch (I finally got one) and spots with a hole punch.  Oh, and the sentiment is LOTV too!

So, that's me done for today - I've got to go and ferret around for a menu for the Chinese tonight, and I might treat myself to a sit down with a hot chocolate in front of the rugby for an hour or so. 

Hugs, Sxx

Two Pieces of Excellent News!

No card for you this evening but two pieces of excellent news to share:

1.  First and foremost, I FOUND THE TABLE!  Wheeeeeeeeee, which means, having done that this afternoon, I get ALL DAY TOMORROW to craft, double wheeeeeeeeeee!  And I get my Chinese takeaway!  I'll be totally honest, I am ashamed at the amount of cr*p that had accumulated - me and him are terrible, we put things down on the table for 5 minutes, and it is still there 6 months later (you can tell we don't use it for meals, lol).  AND I've finally got rid of the hideous, ripped and torn (thanks Vince) snowflake patterned vinyl tablecloth - I dread to think how long that has been there, but it served it's purpose, it stopped me getting paint all over the tabletop.  I found two monkeys (Kipling, off my handbags), Mr Potato Head, Vince's grooming brush that he hates, a bar of chocolate, my nice Parker fountain pen, and several tiny packs of embellies and a couple of freebie packs of papers, marvellous! 

2.  Just noticed that my Hits Counter has today reached 50,000 - A HUGE THANK YOU to all my loyal and wonderful followers for sticking with me and visiting as often as you do, even when I'm being a right mardy moo.  There will be a larger than usual candy coming up to celebrate this momentous event and also my second blogoversary.  Keep your eyes peeled for it.

Right, time for dinner now, so I'll see you all tomorrow.

Hugs

Squirrel xx

Should Have Gone To Spec-Savers...

...other high street opticians are available!

I know things are quiet in blogland midweek but I thought I saw tumbleweed roll past yesterday - did you lot all get a better offer or was there something on that I didn't know about or was yesterday's card really that awful?  Felt a bit like Billy-No-Mates last night (sob sob)! 

Now, I know I need my eyes tested but I thought I had got quite good at "reading" rubber stamps.  You know, when you pick up rubber and think "Oh yeah, I can see what that is" without the need to get ink on it.  Yeah, right.

It actually wasn't until I had FINISHED painting this one that Stupid twigged that this was probably a Christmas stamp.  D'oh!

Oh well, never mind - a quick and simple card but I think it works ok:

One of my five Hanglar stamps - he didn't come with a name (he's an ebay orphan) so I shall call him Reginald.  Painted, in non-Christmas colours (!), with distress inks.  Paper is Fine & Dandy and sentiment from a Buzzcraft collection.

Hope to see a few more of you over the weekend - and I've got a long one - weekend that is - finish work at lunchtime on Friday (whoop) and don't go back until Tuesday (wheeee) - only drawback to that is, the dearest one has Spring Cleaning planned.  Well, not actually Spring Cleaning in the traditional sense but apparently I have to try and relocate something that used to be known as the dining room table.  I have a picture in my mind of what it ought to look like ....... will let you know if I ever find it!  There is an incentive on offer, so he tells me, that if I do track it down he will crack open the wallet and treat me to a Chinese takeaway on Saturday night - well who could turn that chance down - wish me luck - safari suit, waders and bamboo machete are on standby.......

Hugs, Squirrel xx



A Big Thank You

My mate, Ali, got made redundant over 18 months ago now and although not having any luck in finding a paying job, she has been filling her time and getting valuable experience by doing some volunteer work - and she has been helping out at our local RSPCA shop in town.

She'd only been there about a month and then it was her birthday - the crew in the shop were so kind to her and have made her so welcome that she asked me to make a thank you card for her to send them.

Well, as it is the RSPCA and Ali has two beautiful kittycats, what else could I use but LOTV Thomas .....

This is not my best colouring effort with the distress inks, I think my head was elsewhere when I did it - I've just noticed that I have completely missed putting any shadowing in.  Papers are all from Papermania Persimmon collection - gorgeous papers but only one measly sheet of each - how mean is that?!  About time some of these companies realise that we need at least three sheets of each - two to use and one to gaze at!  A couple of Martha Stewart punches on the go for the middle band and Sizzlets photo corners to finish off.  The sentiment is from a Buzzcraft set of FairyDoodles.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

In Case He Hates The Pink

Had a little panic about the Valentine card that I had made for Toad (here) - what if it really is too pink and he hates it but is too sweet to say anything?

So...... I made him another one (he will get both) to be on the safe side:

I really am useless at checking stamp names, but in my head this one is called Love Bunny.  I am certain that it is by Penny Johnson, coz you can just see a tiny "Penny" under his foot!  I've painted him with distress inks and matted him on a sheet of Basic Grey plain red.  The black and white papers are from a gorgeous Dovecraft pack that, oh the shame of it, I had not even opened and I've had them ages.  You might be seeing a few more of these now.  Gold peel off borders from stash, and Martha Stewart heart border punch on a scrap strip of the Basic Grey.  Never throw away those skinny offcuts - you'd be amazed what you can use them for.

I'll let you know next week what his verdict is on both cards!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Itsy-Bitsy-Teeny-Weeny......

.....but no bikini!  Love that silly song, but I'll be humming it all day now.

A couple of tiddywid cards for you today as my new Tilda's arrived this week (the poor postman must have a complex now with all the curtain twitching I did waiting for these to turn up) and I just had to have a quick play.

Both are very straightforward and there are no frilly bits, but you will see why shortly .....

And this is why they are fuss free....

I absolutely LOVE these little sweeties (and even the Toadster likes them, despite them being Tilda) so I shall be ordered another couple on payday.  I must say an ENORMOUS thank you to my very special and total hunny of a crafting friend, Mandy, who sent me a very generous envelope of things to play with.  Thanks babes, you are wonderful, MWAH!

Hugs, Sxx

Less Is More

Happy Sunday afternoon everyone (see the smile through gritted teeth?), yep, nearly time for another Monday back at work.  How do weekends fly by so darn quickly?  Two days in the office never go that fast!

Anyhoo, there is a fab new challenge that has started this week called LESS IS MORE and their first challenge theme is Pink, Black & White.  It seems a lifetime since I did a card this CAS so I thought I'd have a little go, and here it is .....

Not really that much I can tell you about this - erm, 5x5 white card stock, Cuttlebug embossing strip, potion bottle and sentiment from a Woodware collection, quick colour with a couple of ProMarkers, and good old classic circle Nesties for the matting.  Voila!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Love Is ...........

Happy Saturday everyone!  Another grey cloud day but at least the strong winds have died down a bit now - it was a bit of a rough night outside, so glad that we had our eucalyptus tree felled last year otherwise I would have been awake waiting for the sound of breaking glass and crumpled greenhouse.  And these high winds play havoc with tail fur - you should have seen me by the time I got home from work last night - dragged through several hedges backwards!

Anyhoo, it is February and our minds and hearts turn to lurrrve, or to Valentine's day anyway, and squirrels do it too, especially when they are lucky enough to have the perfect Toad.  OK, so he's not exactly perfect....(what man is?) but he is a hunny and I adore him.  So, Love and Valentine themed challenges abound this weekend .....

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE - Love Is (and finished the sentiment)

ALLSORTS - Love Love Love

CRAFTY CALENDAR  - Love

CRAZY 4 CHALLENGES - Valentines

ECP CHALLENGES - Love

SECRET CRAFTER - Valentines

CARDS FOR MEN - Love/Valentines
SIMON SAYS STAMP - Love Is In The Air
STAMPING FOR THE WEEKEND - Valentines

So what did I create.....well, it is for the Toad but it turned out a bit pinker than I had intended, but I know he won't mind that much......I hope:

And here is the inside:

I think this was one of the very first Penny Black stamps I bought and I have loved it ever since, so when it appeared on a clear set too but in smaller form I thought I was in heaven.  Can't for the life of me remember the name of it though.  Both are painted with distress inks and both have lost whiskers due to my wobbly craft knife skills (oops).  Papers are from a Papermania set that is cake themed but there's no cakes on these ones so what the heck, live dangerously I say.  Flourishes are done with Sizzix dies and the gold lettering is Anita's peel-offs.  Well, Anita made them, but they are mine now.

I ramble don't I?  It's the wine fumes you know, there is a beef casserole in the oven and I don't know how Toad acquired the bottle of Merlot that is in there but it is strong stuff for a small furry one to cope with.

Catch ya's later.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Distress Inks Tutorial

Evening all, hope this finds you feeling fine and dandy at the start of the weekend!

Now then, before you all get too excited (that's you particularly RuthAnne), I haven't forgotten that you are waiting for a distress inks tutorial from me.  I am waiting for some sunshine so that you can at least see what I am trying to show you - the winter has dragged on far too long in the UK and the grey skies are overstaying their welcome.  So far, the odd rare day of sunshine has arrived when I've been at work so I have missed out.  Don't think it would have gone down too well if I said I needed to dash home to paint a rabbit, lol!

In the meantime, I have found these fabulous video tutorials by the incredibly talented Dena at Dena's Stamping Corner - if you have not seen Dena's colour work then you are missing out, get right on over to her blog now!  She is one seriously skilled artist.

Here are the links to take you straight to the tutorials:

Part I - Skin Tones

Parts II and II - Clothing and Hair

I promise that once you have seen these and the amazing results that Dena produces, you will be begging me not to bother with mine!

Hopefully see you sometime tomorrow with a card or two.

Hugs, Sxx

A CAS Hedgehog

Well, I suppose he would be clean as he's sitting in a watering can!  A very CAS card from me today:

A Penny Black stamp (yes, I forgot to check the name of it, sigh), part distress ink painted, part paper-pieced.  The yellow and blue gingham papers are Papermania and the gorgeous pink spotty is Wild Rose Studio.  A quick Woodware peel-off and hey-presto, done.

Mind you, I am feeling the urge to go and stick some gems in the corners now .....

Hugs, Sxx

And we have a (candy) winner!

Hellooooo!

Thanks to everyone who took part in my little January candy.....and to those who are new to my blog who took the time to stay and have a nosey round, welcome.

Yeah, I know, cut to the chase woman and tell them who's won.  I cranked up good old Random Number Generator this time (couldn't find the cat, think he's in the back of the wardrobe shaking from the memories of the last candy draw I made him do for me) and .......

..... the winner is.........

TASHA

Millie's Magical Moments

Whooooo!  That's you Tash!

Could I ask you to confirm your details to squirrel1964@hotmail.co.uk please hunny so I can get this little Henry chap on his way to you.

Thanks to everyone who took part, and I just wish you could all have won.  There will be some more candy coming up soon for my 2nd Blogoversary so do keep an eye out for that.

Hugs, Sxx

LOTV - Not Square

Those sneeky little fairies over at LOTV this week have a challenge that is Anything But A Square.  Hmmmm! 

Perhaps I should call this one "Used To Be A Square", LOL!!

I started off with a 6x6 card and sort of took the scissors to it.  Cutest little LOTV fairy from the new releases, and an LOTV sentiment.  Papermania and Making Memories papers, couple of flower punches, some Card Candy and a sprinkle of Glamour Dust and there you have it.

Hugs, Sxx

Happy Birthday Delphine!

That cheeky, but adorable, little French minx known as Delphine has a birthday today

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!

Hugs, Sxx

Boiiinng!

Wotcha!  Hope you are having a fabbie Sunday....mine's been quiet so far....got back from Church to see the end of the Australian Open tennis final.....hmmmm......bacon sandwich......a quick nap with Vince curled up on me (he's better than any sleeping tablet, but only in the armchair)...and then a little play while there is actually....wait for it.....yes.....SUNSHINE!  Whooo!

One little card, for two super challenges today:

DUTCH DARE CARD CHALLENGE have a recipie (3 papers, 3 flowers, 3 gems, 1 ribbon) and

MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES have a Spring theme

Here's my card:

Ain't he just the cutest bouncy bunny?!  LOTV Spring Bunny With Daffodils, and I've painted him with distress inks.  The papers are all from the same K&Co collection which is, I think, called Daffodil.  Ribbon with the green bubbles is Anita's, EK Success retro flower punches and the pearls and gold borders are from my stash.

Here's a close up of the bunny:

Thanks for popping over, catch ya's all later.

Hugs, Sxx

Waaaaaaay Out Of The Comfort Zone!

Morning all, happy weekend to you!   Sending big, warm, furry hugs to those of you who are not feeling well - Dr Squirrel prescribes chocolate and cuddles.

Now then, this morning I have had to climb, kicking and screaming, out of my comfort zone to make a card for my sister-in-law's birthday.  She is a crafter too but has a style that is all her own.  She doesn't do stamps!  Aargh, how is that possible?!  So, rather than make her something she wouldn't actually like (seemed a bit selfish to make one that I liked when she's the one that's got to look at it) I had a go at trying to make something like she would.  And blimey, it was difficult!

Starting from the back, dark green lace paper is Papermania from the Verde Capsule Collection, cream, pink and green butterfly paper from Laura Ashley, small butterflies are an EK Success punch, the large one is Martha Stewart, tiny flowers are EK Success, leaves are Martha Stewart.  I had to get one stamp on here at least so used the LOTV birthday sentiment with a green Memento ink.  Gems and pearls are all from stash.

It was an effort so I hope that it pays off!

Before I dash off, quick reminder that my January Candy closes in two days (link in sidebar) so you still have til midnight on Monday to enter.

And my resignation - I am resigned to not being able to get back my pretty floral background so the new Squirrel's World look is clean and simple.  Bit like me really, only I'm more on the simple side.  Bit of a grubby little Squirrel really.  Less said about that the better I think..........

Catch ya all laters!  Hugs, Sxx

Aaargh, it's all gone ****s up!

No, you are not in the wrong place ..... something went horribly wrong when I updated my Shabby Blogs background code.....so this is a temporary look....had to go back to a basic template for now....will try and sort out properly at the weekend.

Hopefully normal service will be resumed without too many more tears!

Sxxx

Celebrating Friendship (inc.PBSC January Sales Challenge)

Afternoon all, how ya doing?  It's been another grey cloud day here in the east of England - more of a day for curling up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate and good book than doing anything energetic.  We had planned to pop over and see my Oldies today but when I phoned, mum advised not to go over as poor old dad has a streaming cold.  I know you won't read this dad but I hope you are better soon, love ya.

So, as there was no parental visit to do, I've had a little play.  Both these cards are for very dear friends, one for a birthday and one for a "just because".

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE have "January Sales" as the theme this week and I managed to purchase this Flutter Bye cutie in the sales from The Glitter Pot (satisfied grin).

I've watercolour painted Flutter Bye in distress inks.  The layout is borrowed from a Dawny P sketch for another challenge that I have already entered with a different card but the sketch was too fab not to use again!  Papers are Basic Grey from the very first pad of their papers I ever bought, the cover has long since been lost so can't tell you what they are called.  The sentiment is LOTV and the silver peel-off diamond borders are from stash.

My second card today isn't for a challenge, I just thought I'd share it with you.  There was a lot of hair-pulling over this one but it's my own fault for using such a colourful dp!

The image is Painting Rainbows from Sugar Nellie, distress ink painted.  DPs are, I think, Craftwork Cards but from an old collection called Tutti Fruity.  Matting card and corners is Little Sizzlets, the corners done with a Sizzlets photo corner die.  LOTV sentiment, Martha Stewart borders (thought the goo one looked like dripping paint) and EK Success retro flower punch with Card Candy and Martha Stewart frond punch to finish off.  This took an age - firstly with the painting and then getting the colours together.  But I'm happy with the end result - I think she looks as if she is painting the flowers (hopefully!).

Here's a close up:

Right then, that's me done for today.  I'm off to do something menacing to some mushrooms and then sort out work clothes for the morning.  Catch up with you all soon.

Hugs, Sxx

Flat As A Pancake

Just for once, just once, I'd like to wake up in the morning and find that nothing is running, dripping, rasping, aching, creaking, groaning or falling off.   I am truly feeling every one of my 153 years right now.  What do you mean, I'm not that old?  Are you sure?

Feeling as flat as a pancake today and as low as these miserable grey clouds overhead.  Could do with a good dose of sunshine and some warmth I think.  Mind you, there has been some sun this week - we had one glorious, bright day - but I was shackled to my desk at work so didn't actually get to experience much of it.  Oh I am a right old grumpy pants so just ignore me and come and have a look at my cards.

I've got two for you today, and a few challenges to go with them:

And the challenges for this are:

ALLSORTS - Male/Boy

CARDS FOR MEN - Let's Party

CRAFTY CATZ - Forgotten Stamp

CREATIVE CARD CREW - For Men

STAMPING FOR THE WEEKEND - Get Warmed Up (colours)

CUTE CARD THURSDAY - 3, 2, 1  (stretching this one a bit, 3 papers, 2 of each candy dot, 1 handwritten sentiment)

The papers are a Papermania masculine collection from a year or two ago, the teddy in his brightest, bestest, party jumper is a Sugar Nellie Little Cotton Rabbits bear who has been sadly neglected of late, cardstock from stash, candy dots from stash and I did the sentiment myself (you can probably see the smudge).  Image coloured with ProMarkers.

And card number two:

Is for these challenges:

LILI OF THE VALLEY - Dawny's Sketch

STAMP SOMETHING - Something Cute

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS - Colour Combo - Brown/Pink/Green

CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS - Patchwork

I love this LOTV image, it was one of the first stamps I bought from them, and it has had a lot of use.  Papers are a mix of Dovecraft and Little Sizzlets.  The very bad faux stitching done with the ProMarker line pen and the image is painted with distress inks.

Thanks for popping over, and I'm sorry for being such an old misery.  If you haven't got your name down for my JANUARY CANDY (Ice Skating Henry from Whiff Of Joy) then you still have until 31 January to enter the draw.

Hugs, Sxx

January Candy (CLOSED)

As it's been such a grey old start to the year so far, I thought I'd cheer things up by offering a little candy.

Some of my regulars may remember me rambling on about how I had managed to lose a stamp and ended up (after turning the house upside down) buying a replacement.  Well, guess what?!  Yes, two months later, the original has turned up!  How typical.

So the candy on offer is Whiff Of Joy's Ice Skating Henry - packet has been opened but Henry is still brand new and never used.

If you want to see what he can look like when he is coloured up, here's the card I made before Christmas using his replacement

Okay, here's the rules:
1.  Please leave a comment to this post
2.  Spread the word on your blog
3.  Email entries are fine if you don't have your own blog
4.  You don't have to be a follower but it would be nice if you were
5.  I insist that the winner emails me a picture of whatever you make with the stamp!

Closing date:  31st January (midnight GMT) - Winner will be posted a couple of days later so keep your eyes peeled.

Hugs, Sxx

Happy Birthday.....

Well would you look at that, a post from me for four days in a row - that's got to be a first!  Good old scheduling huh?!

A very dear friend of mine is celebrating a big birthday at the end of this month (daren't tell you which one, even though she won't see this, she can read minds) and as we meet for a coffee at lunchtime most days I just had to use Coffee Break from Lili Of The Valley - if my legs were long enough to get on a stool that high, this could almost be me and my friend, except I don't have a purple hat.....yet.

Think I am addicted to these new Papermania Capsule Collections - these two were only delivered on Saturday and I've been using them ever since!  Martha Stewart hearts borders on the blue gingham paper, the calendar stamp is also LOTV and pearls are from stash.

Thanks for calling over to see me - hope to catch up with you soon!

Hugs Sxx

Little Old Ladies ..........

Monday again then......sigh....oh well, never mind, soon be the weekend again!  Now then....one of my mates, who is also one of my best customers for cards, made an interesting comment last week....she said "you don't have any old lady cards".....now, that made me think a bit.....did she mean cards picturing little old ladies....or cards for little old ladies.....the sort I would have given my nan.....lavender, lace and flowers...anyway.....here is a quick and very simple one.....any of you little old ladies like it?  (stop throwing things at me!)

Now they don't come much simpler do they.  Hero Arts Floral Wreath stamp, coloured with ProMarkers, a Penny Black sentiment stamp and a lovely Nestability shape.  I can see I need some practice with these L.O.L. cards.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Lili Of The Valley, Things With Wings

Once more into the breach dear friends, once more, or close up the wall with our English dead (William Shakespeare, King Henry V)  Funny how some challenges make you feel like this!  I had a right old tussle with this one from LILI OF THE VALLEY this week.....it didn't help that it took me AGES to decide which one of the delicious little fairies I wanted to use....then I changed my mind.....and changed it again....then I thought this sentiment was beautiful.....but which fairy to use with it.......!

In the end I settled on Dandelion Clock - she is such a little darlin', and I do think this sentiment works well with her.

Dandelion Clock is painted with distress inks.  The papers are V&A Linen papers and, oh my, they are delicious!  They are just so pretty that I nearly cried cutting into them (guess I'll just have to buy some more!).  I inked the edges of the flowered squares with Danube Blue Memento Ink to bring them forward a tiny bit, I also edged the sentiment shape as well.  Navy cardstock is Papermania, and I used two Martha Stewart punches for the double border....it looked a bit bare so I added the lavender pearl gems, and then a few more on the corners of the sentiment.  I actually made this yesterday but I wasn't happy with it.....something I couldn't quite put my finger on....but looking at it again this morning I could see it was because of the really hard contrast between the navy and the white so I softened down the edge of the circle with some pearlescent chalk.

So, there we go, that's my entry for the challenge.  Thanks for taking the time to pop over for a look-see.

Hugs, Sxx

2 Cards = 7 Challenges!

Happy Saturday everyone!  Ooooh, this has to be my most favourite day of the week.....work is over for a couple of days......I can chill and relax......no going to bed tonight worrying about Monday morning.....some decent easy-viewing on tv tonight......and it's Squirrel Stew for dinner!  What more could a small furry mammal want, apart from a little bit of crafting......so that's what I've been doing!

My first card for you started off with one challenge in mind, and then I went on a blog wander, and found a few more that I think it would fit nicely, so if you are sitting comfortably.....

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Buffet (choose 4 items from 6 to use) (papers, 3 flowers, 3 gems, metal charm)

Our Creative Corner - Let's Play Dress Up (a simple sketch to fiddle with)

Oldie But A Goodie - Bright And Cheerful (PB stamp Butterfly Wishes)

My Partner In Crafting Crime - Something New (papers and big, fat pearls)

Stamp Something - Anything Goes

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - With Love

I've used Penny Black's Butterfly Wishes stamp, watercolour painted with distress inks (it was a bit of a challenge to make him look rounded - I've still got more of a tum than he has!), the papers are from my latest purchase of Papermania Capsule Collections - these are Blueberry and Boysenberry, and for once, all the papers in each collection work together really well, Sizzlets photo corners die, EK Success retro flower punch, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, those huge fat pearls are new to my stash but the tiny ones have been with me a while, can't tell you who made the sentiment - I got it from Lakeland when they still did craft stuff in their shops, and the metal charm paw print was from stash too.

Before I go on to my second card, I've done something stupid........I signed up for the Crafty Blogs rankings.  Considering I started the week at 923, I am thrilled to see that I'm slowly crawling my way up but.... I'm getting obsessed with it!  I know I'll never reach the top, but I'd be dead chuffed with being in the 100s, so come on over and visit me as much as you can, pleeeeeeeeeeeease!

Right, serious stuff, here is my second card and this is for

Dutch Dare Card Challenge - All Stiched Up

Poor Henry (Whiff of Joy), this is the third time he's been used - and all three times have been for knee replacement operations for friends!  This one is for our dear friend Ken, from church, who goes in on Monday.  He's been waiting for ages for the op and I think it is going to make such a difference to his life.  Papers are from a masculine collection by Dovecraft that I've had a while but still think that they are fabulous - isn't it a shame when really good collections vanish?  Orange and brown cardstock is Papermania.  I've painted Henry with distress inks (fast becoming my favourite method, as if you'd not guessed - and yes, I know, I still owe you a tutorial - when the weather improves I promise I'll do it), Martha Stewart border punch to add some interest, Martha Stewart button punch and hole punch for the frilly bits.  I went around the image with my pokey tool again and a Marvy le Plume pen to create the faux stitching, loving this technique just know (and it's all Helen's fault - she'll have me distressing next!).

Sorry that I'm rambled on so much, hope you are still awake - if you are, there is a technical question I'd like to ask you clever bloggers - anyone know how to make the panel (the bit with all the posts on) of my blog wider?

Anyhoo, now off to link to all those challenges, hope to see you later.

Hugs, Sxx

One For Fun

Yeah, I know, it's Monday - by the time you read this I shall be well on my way to work - so you see, I'm not really skiving, no matter how much my bodyclock hates Monday mornings ........... !!

This little lady from Lili Of The Valley is called Hello Cupcake - what a great name!  And perfect for a birthday, as I don't know anyone who doesn't like cake, do you?!  The sweet little sentiment is also Lili Of The Valley, from the calendar stamp sheet.  Works a treat I think.

The matting card is Coordinations and the papers are Papermania.  It was a real struggle to get the purples to coordinate, and even now I'm not sure I have the right tones together.  I do wish paper collections would follow through with one tone as the theme rather than confusing me! 

Anyway, here is the obligatory close-up:

Thanks for dropping by, hope to see you soon. 

Hugs, Sxx

Penny Black Challenge - New Beginnings

Afternoon all!  Hope you are well.  Now, here's a question for you - when does afternoon become evening, and when does evening become night?  Often wondered that .....

Anyhoo, a little challenge card for you this afternoon and it is for PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE who are looking for New Beginnings.  I've gone with an engagement card.

Aren't these Daisy Bunnies the sweetest?  Stamped in Memento ink and watercolour painted with distress inks.  I used the same colours on both bunnies but one is watered down more to give the lighter look for the one I think is the girl bunny.  Had a bit of trouble with my flowerpots as the ink was drying too fast and I had to really get the brush wet, which of course had an interesting "soggy" effect on the Bristol Board.  Backing papers are from a Laura Ashley collection that I've had a while but never even opened (oh the shame) and the cardstock for matting is Coordinations.  Sentiment is one of the fabulous circulars from Lili Of The Valley.

Here's a bunny close-up:

Thanks for popping over to see me.  I'm now off to have a prowl round blogland to see what all you lovely crafters have been up to when I've not been watching.

Hugs, Sxx